HoopsFest in the NBL continues on Friday night with another standalone fixture at RAC Arena between the Perth Wildcats and the Illawarra Hawks. It’s a pivotal game for both teams as the Wildcats are aiming to jump inside the top 4, while the Hawks are fighting for survival. We bring you our full preview and betting tips for the game below!
Also, we’re providing previews and expert betting tips for every game of the NBL26 season, so make sure to head over to our NBL Tips page regularly to keep up to date with all of our content.
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Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks Prediction & Betting Tips: NBL26 Round 17
Wildcats Building Momentum
The Perth Wildcats enter Round 17 riding their best wave of momentum this NBL26 season. They've won three games in a row, matching their season-best streak, and that surge has lifted them to a 14–10 record and fifth place on the ladder. The Wildcats were particularly impressive last time out, knocking off second-placed South East Melbourne by 10 points in a composed and physical performance. With finals positioning firmly in sight, Perth’s recent balance at both ends of the floor has them trending at exactly the right time.
Too Late for the Hawks?
It’s a very different story for Illawarra. The defending champions sit eighth at 8–15 and come into this matchup after a bruising round in which they dropped both games. With the ladder tightly packed above them, those losses have all but extinguished their hopes of a late-season charge, and the Hawks now appear to be playing out the string. While effort hasn’t been the issue, consistency has eluded them all season, and their inability to string wins together has left them well short of the standard that delivered a championship only a year ago.
Recent H2H History
The season series between these two clubs has been evenly poised so far, with the teams splitting their two meetings. Perth claimed the first encounter by eight points, controlling the tempo and executing better late, while Illawarra responded in the second matchup with a narrow one-point victory. Those results suggest the Hawks can compete with the Wildcats when things go their way, but the margins have been slim and the context around this third meeting feels very different given each team’s current trajectory.
Wildcats or Hawks? Here’s Our Tip!
Back at home and full of confidence, Perth should be well placed to assert themselves. The Wildcats’ recent form, combined with Illawarra’s fading season and road struggles, points toward a comfortable result. Expect Perth to lean on their defensive pressure and depth to gradually pull away, making them a strong pick to cover the -6.5 spread at RAC Arena.
Perth Wildcats –6.5
$2.00 (1 Unit)
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Wildcats vs Hawks Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Friday, January 16th, 2026
Time: 9:30pm AEDT
Location: RAC Arena, Perth
Odds: Wildcats $1.40 vs Hawks $2.95
Line: Wildcats –6.5
Points: 185.5
Where to Watch Wildcats vs Hawks
You can watch the Wildcats vs Hawks clash live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
Back In our Wildcats vs Hawks Tips at Dabble!
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